It Takes a Kennel

WASHINGTON: Hillary Clinton is learning her lesson. First there was
nationalized health care. It was a disaster. Then came the more modest intellectual goals of "It Takes a Village." That book spent 19 weeks on the New York Times best-seller list, including three weeks at No. 1.

Well, the intellectual crosshairs have just dropped again. Simon & Schuster announced Wednesday that it will be publishing "Dear Socks, Dear Buddy," a selection of letters from children addressed to the First Pets, compiled by the First Lady herself. There will be 50 or 60 candid photos of Socks and Buddy at the White House with the First Family, plus an introduction by Hillary discussing the importance of children's writing, with advice for parents. The book is due in November, and all proceeds will go to the National Park Foundation (and not the President's legal fund).

Formerly high-powered Hillary is either really turning into Barbara Bush or just figuring out what America wants from its presidential wife -- not much -- and that's a little sad. The upside, of course, is that any book with a treacle content that high ought to sell like hotcakes. And the national parks sure could use the money.